Barmer refinery seems to be only on paper: Vasundhara Raje

The dates for assembly polls in the state are yet to be announced though it is almost certain that the elections will be held in November or December. However, the poll fever started almost four months ago when the two key parties — Congress and BJP — launched their statewide yatras.

| TNN | Aug 2, 2013, 06.02 AM IST

The dates for assembly polls in the state are yet to be announced though it is almost certain that the elections will be held in November or December. However, the poll fever started almost four months ago when the two key parties — Congress and BJP — launched their statewide yatras.

Steering her party's 'Suraaj Sankalp Yatra,' former chief minister and BJP state president Vasundhara Raje has travelled almost 4,000 km in 75 days since the roadshow began from Rajsamand on April 4. On the concluding day of the yatra in Jodhpur region on Wednesday, TOI accompanied her from Shergarh to Bambor on Jodhpur-Jaisalmer highway. She had several public gatherings lined up on the way to Jodhpur, where she also addressed a massive rally in the presence of party stalwarts Sushma Swaraj and Jaswant Singh.

About 40 km from Jodhpur at Balesar in Shergarh assembly constituency, more than 20,000 people were waiting in pandals for almost three hours. A large number of local people had gathered to see Raje. Whenever she found somebody waiting, she asked the driver to slow down. Women in large numbers turned up, which is reminder of 2003 when she became CM. She took the mike and interacted with the crowd directly. Distributing toffees and sweets and hugging women could be dubbed a political "drama" to woo the electorate, but Raje didn't miss a chance to strike a chord with the gathering. There were bumpy roads and temperature soared to almost baking point, but she continued with her yatra.

Her 'rath' is equipped with a couch and an executive arm-chair. Her two constant companions had been her son, Dushyant Singh (Jhalawar MP), and Rajya Sabha MP Bhupendra Yadav, who has virtually played the "charioteer". Raje admits travelling was taking a toll on her health and she was taking medicines. But "it's rewarding," she said as she recalled how the yatra helped her understand people's problems. She says that she lifted the state from the BIMARU category, but "this man (read Ashok Gehlot) has pushed the state back to the same arena".

Raje spoke at length to Akhilesh Kumar Singh about the burning issues in the state. Excerpts.

Your view about the proposed Barmer refinery. And do you stick to your previous statement about ministers buying land near refinery site?

People of Rajasthan know what is happening in the name of refinery. If government had land at Pachpadra, why it was proposed at Leelala ? They finalised Leelala following land use norms and it was not finalised in a day or two. And suddenly, it was shifted to Pachpadra. I reiterate that several ministers and land mafia had made investments around both the places. Benami properties have been bought in the name of innocent SC / ST people. Many of them even don't know that land has been bought in their names. See, I have my doubts about the very refinery, as I personally think it is a non-starter. This government finalised the place, announced the venue and called Sonia Gandhi, merely to show some authenticity and oblige the Congress's first family. Otherwise, refinery seems to be only on paper.

You are in favour of the refinery or not?

Certainly, I am in favour of it. But the refinery should be set up in terms of Rajasthan and not at the cost of Rajasthan, which is what is being done now. The interest of the state must be safeguarded. The state has offered to provide land and an interest-free Rs 4,000 crore loan per annum. The natural resource (oil) too belongs to Rajasthan. Then why state the government has only 25% share in the refinery and HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited ) has been given 75% share. HPCL has major holdings despite providing only knowledge and expertise. The entire agreement is flawed and kills the very interest of Rajasthan and its people. Everyone knows that oil is not a perennial resource and one day it will end. We must ensure that the resource is optimally explored and its benefits be shared majorly by the people in its vicinity. Moreover, it is for the Centre to lend financial support to such a project but in case of Barmer, the state government is doing so.

The Ashok Gehlot government initiated several development projects like the Metro in Jaipur and Jodhpur. Still you think nothing has happened?

The Congress claims about development are mischievous. Take for example, the Metro in Jaipur. This entire project is being executed without any proper planning. The beauty of the city is being ruined in the name of making the project cost-effective. What does Metro mean ? I have seen at various places worldwide that Metro is underground. But in Jaipur, it will run mostly on elevated tracks. It's so scary. The project was planned in a manner that it benefits land mafia and realtors, who are in connivance with several Congress leaders. And the money involved is huge. A few Congress leaders are direct beneficiaries.

Still, there are some state government schemes which have won laurels?

Which schemes you are talking about ? People of the state know the intent of recent announcements. Why every announcement is made now when elections are round the corner ? Intentions are clear that the government will manage to sail through. However, these lollipops will not help them out as people are smart enough. I came across people who have refused to accept money for laptops and same is happening to the pension plan. I have said time and again that the Gehlot government is playing with the pride of a common Rajasthani by distributing these doles. Rajasthan is known for its pride and somehow this government has hurt that sense of pride. This government has tried to emulate the trend in some other states.Butlet me remind that Rajasthan is a different state and any unethical practice will certainly boomerang. I am personally hurt about this man (Gehlot) mainly at the way he dumped several welfare schemes initiated by us. We had Bhamashah Scheme but this government didn't carry it forward. As a chief minister, your primary responsibility should be welfare of the common man but Ashok Gehlot has been vindictive and professed personalised governance, sometimes to save his job and often to please his bosses in the party.

The two key issues that you came across during your yatra?

Corruption and lack of governance. Almost everywhere people complained about corruption and poor governance or no governance. People are peeved and angry at the way they are being treated. There seems to be no accountability among government officers. Recently I sent Dushyant to flood-hit Baran and to our dismay none was there for relief work. There wasn't doctors' team, no food packets and people were left to fend for themselves. When I was CM, I ensured ministers' presence. Scenes at Baran were reflection of lack of accountability and responsibility from top to bottom. Officials are lax all due to laxity at the top.

There were allegations of corruption against you too?

Yes, Ashok Gehlot has on several occasions alleged that I had accrued Rs 2,000 crore as CM. A commission was also set up to probe it. But what was the outcome ? Where is that money ? Where have I hidden it? He (Gehlot) must make it public about what happened to the probe that was initiated against me. Nothing could be found against me. Now, Gehlot should come clean on allegations of corruption against him.

Will there be a probe against corruption if you are voted back to power?

Certainly, there will be a probe but no witchhunt like this government did soon after coming to power. If people give us another chance, there will be proper investigation against those involved in corruption. Interest of the state and its people is paramount and we shall make sure that it is safeguarded

You have persistently attacked Sonia Gandhi and particularly her son-in-law Robert Vadra for buying land in Rajasthan at throw-away prices. But there is no concrete proof?

The entire nation knows about hundreds of acres of land that Vadra had bought in the state. But our CM is clueless about it. He said he was unaware about any such land deal. We have produced papers too but the state government is shielding Vadra. Norms were amputated to help Vadra, who has bought land without specifying his purpose.

Several incidents of caste and communal violence were reported in the state. Were they poll-driven, as you have alleged?

Of course, several incidents of such violence occurred in which people have no clue as to why it happened in the first place. Reports from some places confirm that some clashes were planted and state-sponsored mainly to polarise the votebank. The Congress is eyeing the minority community and inciting communal hatred. But people of the minority community have seen their actual face. We fear more such incidents in future too. Wherever I go, I do urge that people should maintain calm and harmony as there was a conspiracy to sow social tension.

There are reports of internal strife in your party. Do you foresee dissent during polls?

BJP is a big family, therefore, there could be some problems. But issues are minor and easily manageable. We have a long list of ticket-seekers. Many of them have done hard work and deserve rewards. But at the same time, you can't nominate all of them as party candidates. We have to contest as one strong force and leaders know the value of party's strength. Distribution of tickets is done after a lengthy process and each and every party member will have to accept the final decision. Our party workers are working hard and it is reflecting in the spontaneous crowd happening during the yatra. In places like Jalore and Phalodi,our meetings witnessed historic gatherings despite the fact that our party units are poor in those areas and there is a resource crunch.

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